Leave-by time calculator
EverydayWhen do I need to leave to get there on time?
The latest time to set off: your arrival time minus the journey, the stops on the way and a safety margin, also across time zones.
Arrive by
What you enter stays on your device while you use this tool. Opening a shared link sends the settings in its address to HowToolbox to prepare the page.
Stops, date and time zones
Fuel, food, rest or changing trains.
Leave empty for today.
Leave by
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Time to allow
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The latest time to set off: your arrival time minus the journey, the stops on the way and a safety margin, also across time zones.
How to use
- Type the time you need to be there, such as 09:00 for a meeting or the check-in deadline for a flight.
- Enter how long the journey takes and how much margin you want for traffic or parking.
- Add breaks for long drives, the date if it is not today, and the time zones if you cross one.
- Read the latest time to leave; the list shows how the time adds up.
Arrive by 09:00: no stops, 15-minute margin, same time zone
How it works
The latest time to leave is found by counting backwards from the time you must arrive. Everything that takes time on the way is taken off: the journey itself, any stops, and a margin for the things that go wrong.
In short: leave by = arrival time − (journey + breaks + margin). For example, to be at the airport by 09:00 with a 1 hour 20 minute drive, a 10-minute coffee stop and a 20-minute margin, you leave by 09:00 − 1 h 50 min = 07:10. If you start in another time zone, the same moment is read on your own clock, so a trip from Helsinki to Stockholm by 10:00 Swedish time means leaving by the Finnish clock an hour later than the sum alone suggests.
The result is only as good as the travel time you give it: route planners, timetables and your own experience are the best guide. Time zones and daylight saving changes come from the IANA time zone database in your browser.
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Frequently asked questions
How much margin should I add?
A common rule of thumb is 10–20 % of the travel time, more for rush hour, bad weather or anything with a fixed deadline such as a flight or an exam.
How long before a flight should I be at the airport?
Airlines usually recommend about 2 hours before a flight within Europe and 3 hours before a long-haul flight. Use that time as the arrival time here.
How often should I take a break on a long drive?
Road safety advice is commonly a 15-minute break about every two hours. Add the breaks here so they are counted in the time to leave.
Can the departure fall on the previous day?
Yes. If the total time exceeds the time available since midnight, the result shows an earlier date.
Does the tool check live traffic?
No. Enter the journey time yourself and add a margin for possible delays.
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